brick compost bin?

[janeyo]

HI I really need more compost bins and wondered if I could make some out of brick? We have loads of bricks. If I can does anyone have any ideas on how to do it?

Thanks, janeyo

[deadwood]

I cannot offer advice on building one and I suspect that you may get told no. But a friend of mine used an old concrete coal bin, about 5 ft long, 3 ft deep and 4 ft high. He simply threw everything in via the lid and it composted down. He used to take a spade and shovel it out via the small square apature at the bottom. It was damn good compost.

I only mention this as I suspect that since most compost containers have open sides you will get told that it is not feasible to make a brick one, with I suspect no side ventilation.

Trouble is that you will be building a 4 sided small building and will need some decent foundations then the brick walls. More permanent but more work.

[snake the squadie]

i carnt see why not i use two old coal bunkers aswell and the compost is brilliant. but it is a lot of hard work just for a bin mind you you can use it as an excuse to practice your bricklaying

[Norm]

If you get it designed properly, you could build a little extension out of the side and have a combined compost bin and BBQ. The smell from the rotting vegiitation should keep the flies off the food

[terrier]

I use a three sided breezeblock container that holds about two cu. metres. That is a bit slow but works. I cover it with old carpet to keep a bit of heat in.

[Digger-07]

I once made a set of three brick bins. They worked very well and made good compost in the same time as everyone elses pallet bins. When I built them I left spaces between the bricks on every other course to allow for some air movement and kepth them covered with an old carpet. They lasted for years (probably still going now 25 years after I built them) so they are definately a long term project. Make sure that you have good foundations because the wall will fall over with the weight inside and make sure that the corners are well bonded together for the same reason.

[si'sraisedbed]

If ventillation is so important with compost bins why do the plastic ones you get from Garden Centres / the council not have any ventilation?

[terrier]

Welcome to the 'vine' si'sraisedbed. I asked the same question some time ago and was informed that the plastic bins work by generating a lot of heat and do not require air holes. I think for good compost, it's not so important what you put it in as to what is in it. The right mix of materials and the right amount of water are the more important.

[Protea]

My parents have 2 massive compost 'cubicles' made from breeze blocks. I'm not sure if they are on a concrete base or not, but they produce masses of good compost, so i don't see why you can't create a smaller version with bricks.

The most important thing to do to produce good compost is to turn it frequently. If you do build one out of bricks, consider building 2 or 3 smaller 'bins' or 'cubicles' then you can turn the compost between the bins (leave one bin empty at all times for this purpose - to turn the compost into).

[bobleponge]

If we move to the house we are hoping to, I am going to build exactly as Protea has said, and it will be in either brick or breeze block.
3 bins, like open sided squares, and will make some form of gate for the front of each bin. That will allow me to turn the compost regularly, as well as having a solid structure.